Meet the speaker - Assistant Professor Federica Sebastiani

Get a glimpse of the research that you will get the opportunity to learn more about at the Scheele symposium! The Scheele laureate Professor Pieter Cullis is a pioneer in the design, development and optimization of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for drug delivery and we will introduce the guest speakers who are all active in related fields. One of them is Assistant Professor Federica Sebastiani, University of Copenhagen:

How does your research relate to Prof. Cullis’s scientific work?
My research focuses on lipid self-assembly, both as a model for cellular membranes and as a basis for lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in drug delivery. In recent years, I have investigated the structure and component distribution of LNPs for mRNA delivery under physiologically relevant conditions. This work connects directly to Prof. Cullis’s pioneering contributions to LNP design and development.

Can you explain the potential applications and impact of your research for drug discovery/drug development ? 
My goal is to unravel the relationship between LNP composition, structure, and function, and to use these insights to guide the design of improved nanoparticles. This could lead to LNPs with greater colloidal stability, more efficient mRNA release, and ultimately enhanced performance as drug delivery vehicles.

How will your research contribute for the benefit of patients? 
By improving the therapeutic efficacy of LNPs through precise tuning of their composition and structure, we can lower the required dose and reduce side effects—making treatments safer and more effective for patients. 

What are some recent breakthroughs or discoveries that will advance in your field?
One of the most exciting directions in the LNP field is the study of heterogeneity within nanoparticle populations. Even in formulations that appear homogeneous in size, we now know that subpopulations exist with potentially distinct properties. Understanding and controlling this heterogeneity will be key to optimizing LNP function.

What advice would you give to aspiring researchers interested in pursuing a career in your research area, and how can they contribute?
This is an inherently interdisciplinary field, bridging chemistry, physics, biology, and medicine. My main advice is to cultivate a strong collaborative network—bringing together diverse perspectives is essential to address the complex questions in LNP research.